Nathaniel Barker & Mary Peckham

Middletown, RI

Nathaniel Barker, my wife's 3rd Great Grandfather, and father of Nathaniel C. Barker, was born in Middletown, Rhode Island on November 14, 1782.

Middletown lies between Newport, RI and Portsmouth, RI and is undeniably a town influenced by the sea.  The town was incorporated in 1743 from a section of Newport.  Nathaniel lived at a time before Newport became known as a town of elaborate mansions.  In fact Nathaniel was born a year after the end of the Revolutionary War.   He had only one sibling, a sister Cynthia, born in 1787.

On Dec 11, 1803 he married 20 year old Mary Peckham also from Middletown.  She was born April 4, 1783.  The Peckham family, just like the Barker family had been long time residents of the Middletown and Newport area.  They raised 9 children, Eliza, Mary, John, Angeline, Phebe, Sarah, Nathaniel C., Gideon, and Cynthia.

Windmill from Middletown farm built in 1715

I have not found Nathaniel's occupation.

Nathaniel died young at 39, on April 20, 1821.  He is buried in Middletown with Mary who passed away April 16, 1831.

Below is Mary Peckham Barker's headstone